Junior Wallabies confirm side to face England

Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 8:57 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Junior Wallabies have confirmed their side to face England. Photo: World Rugby
The Junior Wallabies have confirmed their side to face England. Photo: World Rugby

Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has confirmed a host of changes ahead of Tuesday's must-win match against England.

Prop Massimo de Lutiis (hamstring) and lock Jhy Legg (ankle) were ruled out earlier in the day after suffering tournament-ending injuries.

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They are joined on the sidelines by Darby Lancaster and Ned Slack-Smith due to concussion, whilst Marley Pearce is still serving his two-match ban.

This has forced Grey to shuffle his pack, with Nick Bloomfield, Toby Macpherson, Nick Baker and Leafi Heka Talataina coming into the starting side.

Bloomfield joins Max Craig and Jack Barrett in the front-row as Macpherson partners Daniel Maiava-Tapusoa.

Lachlan Hooper keeps his spot at blindside flanker, joined by Baker and Heka Talataina.

Captain Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen remain in the halves, with Reds young gun Taj Annan coming into the centres alongside Henry O'Donnell.

Rohan Leahy comes in for Lancaster on the wing, completing the back three alongside Tim Ryan and Mason Gordon.

Trevor King, John Bryant and Ollie McCrea are the new faces on the bench, joined by the impressive David Vaihu.

The Junior Wallabies need victory and results to go their way to qualify for the semi-finals, with the top team from each pool and the highest-ranked second place side qualifying.

Junior Wallabies vs. England U20

Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 2pm SAST (10pm AEST) Tuesday

1. Jack Barrett (NSW Waratahs, Randwick)

2. Max Craig (QLD Reds, Easts Tigers)

3. Nick Bloomfield (QLD Reds, Easts Tigers)

4. Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies, Uni-Norths Owls)

5. Daniel Maiava-Tapusoa (Melbourne Rebels, Wests Bulldogs)

6. Lachlan Hooper (ACT Brumbies, Vikings Rugby)

7. Nick Baker (QLD Reds, GPS Rugby Club)

8. Leafi Heka Talataina (Melbourne Rebels, Endeavour Hills)

9. Teddy Wilson (c) (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)

10. Jack Bowen (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)

11. Ronan Leahy (Western Force, Sydney University)

12. Taj Annan (QLD Reds, Souths Magpies)

13. Henry O'Donnell (NSW Waratahs, Northern Suburbs)

14. Tim Ryan (QLD Reds, Brothers Rugby Club)

15. Mason Gordon (Melbourne Rebels, Wests Bulldogs)

Reserves

16. Liam Bowron (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals)

17. Harrison Usher (QLD Reds, Bond University)

18. Trevor King (QLD Reds, Souths Magpies)

19. Ollie McCrea (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)

20. John Bryant (QLD Reds, Souths Magpies)

21. Klayton Thorn (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)

22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (QLD Reds, Souths Magpies)

23. David Vaihu (Melbourne Rebels, Wests Bulldogs)

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